Editorial Music & Arts Mythlology Health & Fitness Humour Short Story Beauty Art of Living Voice It Prev Issue Next Issue

Elections in Gujarat- Lessons to Learn - Sunanda Vashisht Sunanda Vashisht was born in the beautiful valley of Kashmir, India when Kashmir was known for its unparalleled natural beauty and not as a cauldron of fear and terror. She did most of her schooling in Delhi and dabbled with several professions before moving to U.S last year. she is currently pursuing higher studies here. she likes to introduce herself as an explorer because she wants to spend all her time in this world exploring unknown. Writing for her is a cathartic experience. She can't remember when she began writing first but she does know that writing has always helped her to be at peace with herself and with the world around her.

While I am writing this, Indian Media is reporting landslide victory for BJP in Gujarat. A certain victory for BJP in highly uncertain times. Exit polls had suggested that BJP would lead but such victory must have taken even BJP by surprise. As the news was trickling in I was thinking about the election process and the surprises free and fair elections can throw in a democracy. Earlier Kashmir elections had taken everyone by surprise and now Gujarat elections force one to think that people have a mind of their own and nothing can be taken for granted in a Democracy. It is really heartening to know that the elections in recently strife torn state were held peacefully.

It is hard to judge now what will the strategy of BJP be in the coming times in Gujarat. It is difficult to ignore other disturbing news that is trickling with the election results. VHP is claiming that they are responsible for BJP’s comeback. They are celebrating it as a result of Hindutva wave instead of the victory of Democracy. This is both sad and worrisome. Praveen Togadia has reported in public that Gujrat experiment will be repeated in Rajasthan and then in Delhi. He is claiming publicly that the days of secularists are over. It is people like Togadia who are undermining the victory of BJP and undermining the votes of common people.

After Godhra riots Government kept appealing to the public that Hindu backlash was not an organized strategy instead it was a spontaneous reaction of the public. Several independent journalists have repeatedly reported that while Godhra carnage was planned, most of the reaction to this unfortunate incident was planned too. Their definitely was anger among Hindus which was justified too but instead of helping them to find the correct platform to voice their anger or doing something worthwhile to make sure that the guilty were punished the Government allowed the mobs to take to roads and once the mob frenzy starts there of course is no point of return. That is exactly what happened in Gujarat too. Whether or not Narendra Modi is guilty of arousing public anger or whether or not Government machinery was purposely brought to a standstill in those dark days is hard to tell but one thing is certain that not enough was done.

I know a lot of people must be feeling that BJP’S victory makes this whole issue redundant but I feel that while rejoicing over its victory BJP must take its job in the state seriously. Instead of alienating people more and more, it should act more responsibly and not allow the communal forces to take centerstage. One way of doing this is by stopping Praveen Togadia and like of him to indulge in this senseless propaganda. If BJP wishes to prove to the world that they are really interested in working for the nation they should start their groundwork in Gujarat where people have once again restored their faith in them. It sure is a hard road to follow but BJP needs to know that this is the only way to make it an all India and an all-Indian party.

Till we connect again...

View and Post comment on this article